Plateau State: Deadly Attacks Claim 15 Lives, Including Nine Passengers

A series of violent assaults by armed individuals across Jos South, Mangu, and Riyom Local Government Areas of Plateau State on Sunday night resulted in the deaths of at least 15 people. Among the fatalities were nine passengers who were traveling towards Jos when suspected terr*rists ambushed their vehicle at Dungus community in Jos South LGA, opening fire on them.

Additional victims were reported in separate incidents that occurred in Mangu and Riyom. Rwang Tengwong, spokesperson for the Berom Youth Moulders, verified the Dungus attack through a phone call to PUNCH Online on Monday from Jos. He stated that the passengers were en route to Jos when the assailants launched their attack. "The incident happened around 9:40 p.m. The victims were all passengers travelling to Jos when the terr*rists opened fire on the vehicle. Among those killed was a member of Operation Rainbow. It is a very sad development, and we lament the loss of lives," Tengwong recounted.

He further explained that several passengers sustained gunshot injuries and were transported to various hospitals, where some later succumbed to their wounds. "It was a vehicle carrying passengers to Jos. The attackers opened fire on them, and some of the victims were killed," he added. Musa Dauda, a local resident, also corroborated the attack, confirming that some injured passengers died during medical treatment. Dauda noted, "Some of the passengers who were injured were taken to the hospital, but some of them died while receiving treatment. Others are still in the hospital receiving treatment."

Meanwhile, in Mangu Local Government Area, suspected terr*rists reportedly struck Vodni in Pushit District during the night, killing two individuals. Four other people sustained gunshot wounds in this attack and are currently receiving medical attention at a hospital in Mangu town. Similarly, in Riyom Local Government Area, two lives were lost at Tahoos in an unrelated attack around the same period. Efforts to get reactions from Alabo Alfred, the spokesperson for the Plateau State Police Command, and Chinonso Oteh, the Media Officer for Operation Enduring Peace, regarding these incidents were unsuccessful at the time this report was filed.